Encircled Read online

  “My army might have something else to say about that,” she replied. “You will make your own decisions, but if you leave me waiting again, there will be consequences. I will answer your question, but I wish to know who is here, and to assure myself you have satisfied our demands.” She smiled. It wasn’t a nice smile. “I imagine you have heard of me. My name is Olivia. I am the personal envoy of Her Majesty, Queen Lisdee of Ressaline.”

  “So Lisdee fashions herself a queen now, does she?”

  The woman ignored that. “I wish to know your names.” She snapped her fingers, and the other woman stepped forward. She had paper and a simple pen ready, poised to write.

  “I am Tarith Blackbird, Charthan Council Leader.” The assistant wrote something.

  “And these others beside you, Mr. Blackbird?”

  He gave introductions. The woman wrote. Olivia stood quietly, accepting the introductions.

  “Very good,” she said. “The Charthan council is present. I now wish to meet the eldest daughters.” She pointed towards us. “Each of you come forward. State your name, your age, and tell me very briefly who you are. You first.”

  The woman in question looked down and mumbled her name.

  “Not like that!” Olivia said. “No one can hear you. Walk over here and speak loudly enough everyone present can hear you.”

  It took more encouraging, but one by one, we introduced ourselves, each as Olivia pointed to us. From my place at the edge, I was last. “I am Claary Rosebush, 20 years old. I am the eldest daughter, and I should be helping my family see to our inn, not standing out here in the sun.”

  “Which inn?” Olivia asked.

  “The Baby Blanket.”

  She stepped over and looked into my eyes. “The Baby Blanket Inn? Seriously?”

  “Seriously,” I replied. “We’re in the western third on Black Mare Street.”

  She looked me up and down. “The Baby Blanket Inn. Well, well. I imagine that’s a story.” Then she turned her back and returned to her secretary. The two spoke quietly for a minute, and then she turned around, her eyes flashing.

  “Mr. Blackbird,” she said firmly. “Are you incapable of counting to 32? You were late, and then you bring only 31 eldest daughters?”

  “That is not true,” said Marsen Yellowroot. “I am an eldest daughter.”

  “You are a council member, Ms. Yellowroot.”

  “I am my parents’ only child and 25 years old.”

  “You are a council member! I specified I wanted eldest daughters that represent the common people.”

  “My mother was a seamstress,” said Marsen. “And I spend far more time sewing clothing than I do in council chambers. Is that common enough for you?”

  Olivia stomped down the line to look at Marsen in the eye. “Was that decision made intentionally, or are you covering for an inability to count?”

  “Does it matter? I satisfy the requirements you set.”

  Olivia paused. “In the future, you will either represent the council, or you will represent the common people. You will not represent both.”

  “Fine,” Marsen said. “You know who we are. You have counted our numbers. And now you will answer our question. By what right do you invade our land, and by what right do you make these demands? We’ll have more questions when those are answered.”

  Olivia paused and then said, “Of course. I will answer your question, but I will do it my own way. It will take some time.” She turned away and walked to the tables that were set up, her secretary moving with her. “Come closer.” She gestured to the tables.

  The council moved closer. The rest of us held back. Oliva looked at that and said, “No. All of you must see. Take what space you must, no more than two deep, the shortest in front. Move closer.”

  And so we moved, and once I took my place, again at the end, and uncomfortably close to one of the warriors, I could see there were two maps spread on the table, weighted down with bricks.

  I did what I could to ignore the warrior.

  “I have been asked to explain why we’re here,” Olivia said. And then she repeated herself. “I will do so my own way.” She gestured to the table. “Maps. Which of you can read a map.”

  “Anyone on the council,” said the council leader.

  “I imagine that is true,” Olivia said. “And yet, I’m not interested in one of you. Frankly, I don’t believe I would receive an honest answer when I ask my own questions, and I would rather know what the common people believe. And not you, either, Ms. Yellowroot. Which of you eldest daughters can read a map?”

  No one spoke, and Olivia scowled. “None of you? Not one of you can read a map?”

  I waited and then slowly lifted my hand. She noticed and turned to me. “Ah. The innkeeper’s daughter. You can read a map?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Don’t call her that!” Mr. Blackbird said. “She is leading an invading army!”

  “I am the personal envoy to my queen,” Olivia replied. “But if you prefer, I can offer the same respect to you that you believe she should offer to me.” She turned back to me then looked at the other women. “Is anyone else willing to admit an ability to read a map?” She paused then said, “Very well. Please come closer, Ms. Rosebush. Ah, there is little room. You will need to move here. Do not mind the soldiers. They won’t touch you.”

  I had little choice but to do as she said, coming to a stop beside her and looking down.

  “The maps are aligned correctly,” she explained. “That is north.” She pointed behind us. “And the maps are pointed north. I realize from here, they appear upside down to you, but can you read it this way?”

  “Yes, I believe so,” I said.

  “Very good. Can you point on the map where we are right now?”

  I bent over then stretched. “Here at Charth.”

  “Very good. Does anyone wish to accuse Ms. Rosebush of being wrong? No? Excellent. Now, Ms. Rosebush, can you find Ressaline?”

  “It is here, on this second map,” I said. “I’ve never been there, so I don’t know how accurate this is.”

  “It is as accurate as we can make a map,” Olivia explained. “And you are correct. These are two maps. Can you briefly describe them?”

  “This one,” I said, “Is Charthan. This one is the area north of Charthan, including Ressaline and a portion of the mountains.”

  “I wish to offer clarity,” Olivia said. “The City of Ressaline. I do not wish to put words in your mouth, but would you be willing to describe it that way?”

  “All right. The City of Ressaline. Here are the mountains. Here is the Ressa River, and the East Ressa River.”

  “Very good,” Olivia said. “Does anyone disagree with Ms. Rosebush yet?”

  “So she can read a map,” said. Mr. Blackbird. “What is your point?”

  “I said I will explain myself in my way,” Olivia replied. “Ms. Rosebush, do you believe you can identify the accepted border between land traditionally controlled by Charthan, and land that has traditionally been considered as controlled by Ressaline?”

  I looked at Mr. Blackbird. I couldn’t read his expression, but I thought it was fear.

  And I thought he knew a lot more about why the Ressaline army was here than I did.

  “I could be wrong,” I said.

  “Now, now, Ms. Rosebush,” said Olivia. “You have spoken well so far. You have made no mistakes. I wish to know what you think. If anyone feels you are mistaken, she will speak up. Can you indicate the border?”

  “I believe it’s the Ressa River,” I said. I indicated the river. “I’m not sure where it is over here.” That was to the area west of the river, before it turned east.

  “For our purposes today,” Olivia said, “That land is not in dispute.” She leaned forward. “It may not be obvious from this map, but the land south of the river, once one moves away from the river bluffs, is slightly rolling, but relatively flat. That is in comparison to the land in the mountains, or even to the nort
h of the river.”

  “I’ve never been,” I said.

  “Here,” she said, leaning forward and tapping the map. “Can you guess what this land is like?”

  “May I turn the map around?”

  “I’d rather you didn’t, but you could circle the table for a different view. I’d prefer you stand here as much as you can, so everyone can see.”

  I nodded, and then I did as she said. I moved to the other side and leaned way over. “Where?” She leaned forward and then took my hand and used my own finger to point. I froze like that, looking into her eyes. “While I am here, are you going to indicate other areas?”

  “No,” she said. “Only here. Can you read the map well enough to guess what is here?”

  “From the colors, I guess this is some sort of valley. I don’t know anything about it.”

  “You are right. It is a valley. What is in the middle of the valley?” She traced my finger.

  “A river?”

  “A modest river. It travels all the way to feed the Ressa river. Do you see?”

  “Yes.”

  “And here.” She guided my finger. “Do you know what these are?”

  “No.”

  “If I suggested this was a ridge overlooking the valley, would you have cause to disbelieve me?”

  “No.”

  “And the same here, on the other side?”

  “I’ve never been anywhere that has ridges or mountains.”

  “I imagine you haven’t,” Olivia said. “Perhaps you will take my word for it.”

  “Is there a point to this?” I asked.

  “Yes, Ms. Rosebush. There is.” She released my hand. “Come to this side again, please. I want everyone to see. And when I ask these questions, I am going to project, so the soldiers on the walls can hear me. I wish you to project your answer in the same fashion. Can you do that?”

  I straightened and looked at her. “I want to know what you’re doing.”

  “I am answering the question,” she said. “But frankly, I do not trust your council, and I want everyone to hear my answer. Everyone. Do you have a problem with that?”

  I glanced at the council members then moved around to her side of the table, although I took a place two paces from her and tried to ignore the soldiers.

  I thought one might have looked at my ass, but I was used to that, just not so much from women.

  “Well,” said Olivia, projecting loudly now. “Ms. Rosebush, we have ascertained you have some ability to read a map. I have shown you an area on the map. In your best judgment, does that land belong to Charthan or to Ressaline?”

  “I am unsure,” I said, using my “knock off this misbehavior” voice.

  “We have identified the border as the Ressa River, and the area is clearly north of the river. Are we agreed on that?”

  “Yes.”

  “I want your best answer, Ms. Rosebush. Whose land is it?”

  “I don’t know,” I said. “But I think it’s yours.”

  “Thank you, Ms. Rosebush,” said Olivia. “Mr. Blackbird, do you wish to contest her answer?”

  “Ressaline is nothing but a city-state,” he replied.

  “The traditional border has always been the Ressa River!” Olivia said firmly. “Do you now suggest we should adjust the history books? Is there anyone here who believes the border is further north?”

  No one spoke, and so she smiled and nodded. “Very good. You may return to your place of relative safety, Ms. Rosebush.”

  I moved around the table and took a place in back. Olivia waited until I was back where I thought I belonged before she looked around. “The land in question is rich in natural resources. Mr. Blackbird, were you aware of that?”

  “I don’t know what point you’re trying to make.”

  “You, sir, are a liar!” Olivia yelled. “I’m not even going to hope for honesty from you. Ms. Rosebush, did you know this land was rich in natural resources?”

  “I have no idea,” I said. “And I don’t even know what that means.”

  “The valley holds wildlife. The slopes hold trees, straight and strong. And there is silver and tin in the hills.”

  “I wouldn’t know,” I said.

  “No, I imagine not. Two years ago, citizens of Charthan moved north of the river. They established a presence in this valley. They brought equipment with them. They began to cut the trees. They began to dig mines in the hills.”

  “That’s not true!” Mr. Blackbird said it was.

  And at that, I was fairly sure I knew why the Ressaline army was on our doorstep.

  “Oh, shut up,” Olivia said to him. “You’re a liar.” She gestured to her assistant, who handed a piece of parchment over. She looked around. “When Queen Lisdee learned of this, she was rather annoyed. She sent an envoy to Charth with a note she personally penned. This is a copy of the copy she kept. Who would care to read it.”

  “We received no such note, and there was no incursion.”

  “Liar!” Olivia said. “Who will read this note?” She looked around at the assembled women. “Are you all mice? Are you going to make Ms. Rosebush take a second turn?”

  Tess Nightblossom slowly raised her hand. “I can read.”

  “Can you project, Ms. Nightblossom?” Olivia asked. I was impressed she could remember all our names. “I want everyone to hear.”

  “I can yell,” Tess said. She stepped closer, and Olivia passed the parchment to her. Tess read it then lifted her voice.

  Charthan Council,

  It has come to my attention some citizens of Charthan have established a presence in the Beltend Valley. We are sure this is simply an oversight on your part, and in recognition of the long and friendly relationship between our peoples, we kindly request you remove your citizens from our land.

  Queen Lisdee of Ressaline

  “We received no such notice!”

  “Are you physically capable of telling the truth?” Olivia asked. “Queen Lisdee waited through the winter before sending a new envoy with this request.” She traded it with Tess.

  Charthan Council,

  Your citizens have not vacated our land in the Beltend Valley. We require you to remove them in a prompt fashion. If you do so, we will be able to continue with our long and friendly relationship.

  Queen Lisdee of Ressaline

  “Ms. Nightblossom,” Olivia asked. “Does that letter seem particularly antagonistic.”

  “It’s awfully short.”

  “Do you have any difficulty understanding what she has asked.”

  Tess looked down. “No.”

  “This is the final letter, sent this past autumn,” Olivia said, trading parchments a final time. “Please read it for us.”

  Charthan Council,

  If your citizens have not vacated the Beltend Valley by spring, they will be forcibly removed and all equipment and possessions confiscated.

  Queen Lisdee of Ressaline

  “Thank you, Ms. Nightblossom,” Olivia said, collecting the parchment from her.

  “Those are all lies!”

  “Mr. Blackbird, I am tired of your lies. There will be consequences for those lies. I will explain those shortly. Early this spring, a detachment of soldiers from the Ressaline army traveled to the Beltend Valley. Do you know what they found?”

  She paused, but the question was clearly rhetorical.

  “They found a working logging operation. Trees were being cut and moved downriver and, presumably, into Charthan. There were two active mines in operation and a third in construction. But that isn’t the worst. If that was all that had been discovered, we wouldn’t be here. Our military would have collected everyone and shipped them south of the river. But that wasn’t all that was found. We also found a sizeable portion of the Charthan Army!”

  No one accused her of lying, and I was convinced she was telling the truth, every word.

  “The commander of our admittedly small force marched into the center of the valley and demanded they remove t
hemselves from our land. In response, the entire force was taken prisoner, violating a white flag of truce. Luckily, she had left scouts in the hills, observing the proceedings, and those scouts individually returned to our capital and reported on the events. Three weeks ago, the entire Ressaline Army marched to the Beltend Valley. Fearing more treachery if we were to send an envoy to Charth, we instead sent our demands via the Gandeet embassy. We know our message was received, which I will get to in a moment.

  “Upon reaching the Beltend Valley, the Ressaline Army engaged with Charthan Forces. To the best we were able to ascertain, every man, woman, and child of Charthan present in the Beltend Valley has been captured and is now detained.

  “The military then moved south. Shortly after crossing the Ressa River, our scouts identified the remaining Charthan forces were moving north, and it wasn’t with directions to vacate the valley. The Ressaline Army circled and captured these forces and have spent the last three weeks securing all of Charthan.

  “And now we are here.”

  “You can’t prove a single thing you’ve said!” Mr. Blackbird said. “We require you to vacate our lands and return any Charthan citizens to us.”

  She turned to him. “At least you didn’t accuse me of lying this time.” She raised her voice. “Bring them!”

  There was a hail from one of the army camps. It was only a moment before we saw two riders move out from the camp.

  And behind each of them, a string of women, barely dressed, bound with ropes around their wrists and being pulled along behind the riders.

  At least they were walking, and so the women could keep up, but there were mutters. From the looks, I knew everyone there believed these women were Charthan citizens, and probably members of the military.

  The two riders brought them to us. Olivia stepped away to the one at the end of one line. She did something to remove the woman from the line, and then we watched as the woman allowed herself to be led over to our conference. “Kneel!”